Police: Drama teacher who married 16-year-old girl faces charges

HOUSTON - A Houston-area drama teacher is facing charges. accused of having sex with a teenager that he eventually married in Las Vegas.

The investigation began with a traffic stop on April in which Ilich Auyapah Guardiola, 41, was stopped for a traffic violation. Police say a 16-year-old girl was with him.

According to police, Guardiola was a drama teacher working at several Houston-area acting academies and theaters, and the girl was one of his students at the Houston Family Arts Center.

The teenager was in the car and told police she was one of Guardiola's students and he was giving her a ride home.

According to court documents, later during the investigation the teen admitted having a sexual relationship with Guardiola.

On Thursday law enforcement officials arrested Guardiola at a northwest Harris County apartment. Police say the 16-year-old was with him at the apartment at the time of his arrest.

According to court documents, investigators say they found multiple text messages from the girl to Guardiola, including one that read, "I love having sex with you."

Investigators say Guardiola and his alleged victim traveled to Las Vegas two weeks ago and were married with the girl's mother present.

"We were informed by local law enforcement that one of our independent contract teachers was under investigation for possible criminal activity," said Bob Clark, executive director of the Houston Family Arts Center released a statement. "When we learned of the investigation we took what we believed was the best possible action, which was too immediately sever all our ties with this contractor. Our priority will always be with our students and our organization."

Guardiola is charged with sexual assault of a child.

He appeared before a judge on Friday.

Guardiola is being held in the Harris County Jail on $50,000 bond.

Police are concerned there could be other victims and they urge anyone with information to contact the Spring Valley Village Police Department at 713-465-8323, or their local law enforcement agency.

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